Removable water spray manifold for dishwasher



1968 T. H. NOREN ET AL 3,415,259

REMOVABLE WATER SPRAY MANIFOLD FOR DISHWASHER Original Filed Nov. 5, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS TORE H. NOREN GEORGE J. FEDERIGHI ATTORNEY Dec. 10, 1968- NOREN ET AL.

REMOVABLE WATER SPRAY MANIFOLD FOR DISHWASHER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Nov. 5, 1964 mm m N E EN VE NR 1 N w H E G E R R0 OE T B ATTORNEY United States Patent REMOVABLE WATER SPRAY MANIFOLD FOR DISHWASHER Tore H. Noren and George J. Feden'ghi, both of 1350 Donner St., San Francisco, Calif. 94124 Continuation of application Ser. No. 409,185, Nov. 5, 1964. This application Jan. 5, 1967, Ser. No. 607,578 6 Claims. (Cl. 134-180) This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 409,185, filed Nov. 5, 1964, and which is now abandoned.

The present invention relates to improvements in a removable water spray manifold for dishwasher and it consists in the combination, construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter described and claimed.

The usual water spray manifold for dishwasher is made from cast iron pipes and the open ends of the pipes are closed by cast iron caps which are screwed onto the externally threaded pipe ends. Cast iron is heavy and has numerous small indentations or pits in which foreign matter becomes lodged and this contaminants the manifold. Moreover when the cast iron manifold is subjected to the high heat temperature in a dishwasher for a period of time, the threads in the screw caps and the cooperating threads in the cast iron pipes become sealed to one another and it is diflicult to remove the caps for the purpose of cleaning the cast iron pipes.

An object of our invention is to provide a water spray manifold that is stamped from sheet metal such as stainless steel and each manifold is composed of two halves that are welded together to form the complete unit. Each manifold has a central elongated water passageway with laterally extending branches that communicate with this passageway. The branches of the manifold are provided spray nozzles.

' In the usual water spray manifold the cast iron pipes are connected to a common header by being screwed into threaded openings in the header. If the manifold is to be inspected or cleaned it is necessary to unscrew each cast iron pipe from the header or to unscrew the header from the water inlet pipe.

A further object of our invention is to provide a water spray noozzle that can be removably mounted in the dishwasher and connected to the hot water supply source without the operator needing any tools to accomplish this. The central elongated water passage of the spray nozzle, when placed in communication with the hot water supply has its other open end closed by a manifold end cap. This cap is threaded upon a rod that is pivotally carried by the dishwasher. The rod can be swung so that its axis is in alignment with the axis of the water passage and then the end cap can be rota-ted on the threads of the rod for moving the cap to close the passage and to aid in supporting the manifold. When removing the spray manifold the same operation is followed in reverse. It is possible to tilt the spray manifolds and hold them in tilted position.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the specification continues. The novel features of the invention will be set forth in the appended claims.

Drawings For a better understanding of our invenition, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the removable water spray manifold showing the water nozzles.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse section through the removable water spray manifold and is taken along the line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an isometric view on a smaller scale of two of the manifolds placed in a dishwasher and removably coupled to upper and lower hot water outlets.

3,415,259 Patented Dec. 10, 1968 FIGURE 4 is a longitudinal section through the lower manifold shown in FIGURE 3 and is taken along the line 3-3 of that figure. The scale of FIGURE 4 is the same as the scale of FIGURES 1 and 2. The supports for each end of the manifold are shown spaced from the manifold.

FIGURE 5 is a transverse section through the adapter that couples the lower removable water spray manifold to the lower hot water outlet in the dishwasher. A portion of the lower hot water outlet is shown in section and a portion of the lower water spray manifold is shown in elevation. The transverse section of FIGURE 5 is taken along the line 55 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 6 illustrates the upper and lower water spray manifolds coupled to an interconnecting hot water pipe that is inclined from the vertical. The figure indicates how the water spray manifolds may be inclined with respect to horizontal planes and then maintained in these inclined position. The purpose for inclining the manifolds is for causing the Water nozzles to direct streams of hot water at a desired angle against dishes being moved through the dishwasher for thoroughly washing the dishes.

While we have shown only the preferred form of our invention, it should be understood that various changes, or modifications, may be made within the scope of the annexed claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

Detailed description In carrying out our invention we will first describe the construction of the spray manifold and then will set forth how two of these manifolds are removably mounted in a dishwashing machine so that they may be readily removed for inspection or cleaning. In FIGURES 1 and 2, we show a spray manifold and this is indicated generally at A. The manifold is constructed from sheet metal such as stainless steel and it is formed in two deep-drawn halves indicated generally at A1, A2. The half A1 is formed into a central semi-cylindrical pipe section 1, see FIG- URES 2 and 4 and this pipe section has laterally extending branch portions 2, 3, 4 and 5, see the upper manifold in FIGURE 3, that extend laterally from one side of the central pipe section 1 and branches 2a, 3a, 4a and 5a that extend laterally from the other side of the central pipe section. The branch 2 is aligned with the branch 2a and the branch 3 is aligned with the branch 3a. In like manner the branch 4 is aligned with the branch 4a and the branch 5 is aligned With the branch 5a.

The other half section A2 of the spray manifold has a semi-cylindrical pipe section 6, see FIGURES l, 2, and 4, and the radius of this pipe section as well as the length is the same as the radius and length of the semi-cylindrical pipe section 1. The half manifold A2 also has laterally extending branches and these are indicated at 7, 8, 9, and 10. The branches 7 to 10 inclusive are of the same size and shape as the branches 2 to 5 inclusive of the half manifold A1. In addition the half manifold A2 has other branches 7a, 8a, 9a and 10a and these are aligned with the branches 7 to 10 inclusive and project in an opposite direction. The branches 7a to 10: inclusive are of the same size and shape as the branches 2a to 5111 inclusive. The branches 2 to 5 inclusive and 2a to 5a inclusive are concave in cross section and likewise the branches 7 to 10 inclusive and 7a to 10a inclusive are concave in crosssection. Therefore when the two halves A1 and A2 are fitted together, the resulting spray manifold A will have hollow branches communicating with the cylindrical central pipe section formed from the two semi-cylindrical pipe sections 1 and 6.

It will be noted from FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 that the peripheries of the branches 2 to 5 inclusive are provided with outwardly extending flanges 11. The central semicylindrical pipe section 1 has flange portions 11a that interconnect the flanges 11 and are integral therewith. In like manner, the branches 7 to 10 inclusive, see the same figures have flanges 12 and the semi-cylindrical pipe section 6 has flange portions 12a that interconnect the flanges 12 and are integral therewith. It will further be noted from FIGURE 3 that the branches 2a to a inclusive have flanges 13 and these flanges are adapted to abut flanges 14 for the branches 7a to a inclusive when the two halves A1, A2 areb rought together. The semicylindrical pipe section 1 has flange portions 13a interconnecting the flanges 13 and the semi-cylindrical pipe section 6 has flange portions 14a for interconnecting the flanges 14. When the two halves A1 and A2 are brought together and the branches of one half are aligned with the branches of the other half, both halves are then permanently connected together by spot welding or otherwise securing the abutting flanges of the two halves together.

A sleeve section 15 is slipped over the two abutting ends of the semi-cylindrical pipe sections 1 and 6 that extend from the adjacent branches formed from the parts 2 and 2a and 7 and 7a. In like manner a second sleeve 16 is slipped over the two ends of the semi-cylindrical pipe sections 1 and 6 that extend from the adjacent branches formed from the parts 5 and 5a and 10 and 10a. It will be seen from FIGURES 1 and 4, that the branch portions 7 to 10 inclusive have water spray nozzles 17 projecting therefrom. Also the branch portions 7a to 10a have water spray nozzles 17a: projecting therefrom. The central cylindrical pipe section formed by the two semicylindrical pipe sections 1 and 6, has the same diameter throughout its length and this permits ready cleaning of this pipe section should that become necessary. Also the laterally-extending manifold branches have hollow interiors that communicate with the central pipe section and they may be readily cleaned when the manifold is removed from the dishwasher. There will be little need for cleaning because the manifold is formed from sheet metal preferably of stainless steel and this metal is not only light in weight but it is free from small indentations or pits which is more common to cast iron.

We will no describe how the hot water spray manifold A may be placed in a dishwasher indicated generally at B in FIGURE 3. We have partly shown the top 18 and the front wall 19 of the dishwasher as well as a portion of the tank front wall 19a. This dishwasher may have a pair of parallel and spaced apart rack tracks C and a dish rack D may be moved along the tracks by a reciprocating conveyor bar E that has pivoted dogs F mounted thereon. These dogs engage with a ladder 20 that is provided at the bottom of the dish rack D and a reciprocation of the conveyor bar B will intermittently advance the dish rack D through the dishwashing machine B. It is also possible to use our improved spray manifold in a dishwashing machine that has an endless conveyor, not shown, and this endless conveyor would carry dishes through the dishwasher and could be of the type disclosed in our Patent No. 2,840,227, issued June 24, 1958.

A lower water feed pipe 21, see FIGURE 3, is connected to a lower manifold T, G, and an upwardly extending stand pipe 22 leads to an upper manifold L, H. We provide a manifold adaptor indicated generally at J of the shape shown in FIGURES 3 and 5, and secure one of the adaptors to the lower manifold T, G, and secure another of the adaptors to the upper manifold L, H.

FIGURES 3 and 5, show the lower manifold T, G, provided with a smooth face 23, of the shape shown and the manifold T has a water outlet opening 24 that is centered in this smooth face 23, note especially the sectional view of FIGURE 5. The adaptor J has a central tubular portion 25 that is received in the opening 24 of the manifold T, G. The adaptor also has another tubular portion 26 that is aligned with the tubular portion 25 and has an inside diameter large enough to receive the sleeve 15 of the lower water spray manifold A. We provide two water spray manifolds A for the dishwasher. In the lower 4 d manifold A, the water spray nozzles 17 and 17a extend upwardly while in the upper manifold A, the water spray nozzles 17 and 17a extend downwardly.

It will be noted from FIGURES 3 and 5 that adaptor adjustment bolts 27, are received in a pair of arcuate slots 28 provided in the adaptor J and then the threaded .shanks of the bolts are received in threaded bores provided in the lower manifold T, G. The same two figures further show stop fingers or manifold adjustmentbrackets K that have base portions secured to the ends of the PPer and lower manifold adaptors I. These brackets project so as to contact with the two adjacent laterally extending branches of the upper and lower manifolds A that are disposed nearest to the sleeves 15.

It is possible to loosen the bolts 27 and then adjust the manifolds A and the manifold adaptors J into the desired angular positions for causing the brackets K to contact with the lateral branches of the water spray manifolds and hold them at the desired angular position which is indicated by the dot-dash lines in FIGURE 3. When this desired angle is attained, the bolts 27 are tightened in place.

We show novel means for closing the sleeves 16 that enclose the outer ends of the central pipe portions and at the same time the means supports the free ends of the spray manifolds A. In FIGURES 3 and 4, we show a manifold end cap L that has a centrally threaded bore for receiving the threaded portion of a swingable rod 29. The rod has a threaded portion 29a that enters the threaded bore of the manifold end cap. The other end of the rod 29 is bent at right angles at 29b and this is rotatably received in a sleeve 30 that is mounted on a bracket 31. We provide two end caps L with their brackets 31. The upper end cap bracket 31 is secured to the inner surface of the front hood wall 19 of the dishwasher B by bolts 32. The bracket 31 for the lower end cap L is secured to the inner surface of the tank front wall 19a.

Each manifold end cap L has a circular flange 33 whose inner diameter is the same as the outer diameter of the sleeve 16. The rim of the manifold end cap L is provided with hand grip portions 34 and this permits the operator to rotate the manifold end cap on the threaded portion 29a of the rod 29. It is possible to swing the rod 29 so that its axis aligns with the axis of the central pipe section formed from the two halves 1 and -6 of the manifold A and then the operator may rotate the cap for advancing it along the rod 29 and causing the circular flange 33 to receive the sleeve 16. This action causes the cap L to close the open end of the sleeve 16 and the rod 29 will also support the free end of the sleeve which in turn supports the free end of the manifold.

When it is desired to remove either or both manifolds for cleaning purposes or for inspection, it is a simple matter to rotate the manifold end cap L for moving it away from the sleeve 16 and then swing the rod 29 in the sleeve 30 to move the cap away from the sleeve after which it is a simple matter to slide the other sleeve 15 from the tubular portion 26 of the manifold adaptor I.

It has already been stated that we provide two of our hot water spray manifolds A and removably connect one of them to the lower manifold T, G, by the adaptor J and removably secure the other one to the upper manifold L, H. The upper manifold is turned upside down to that of the lower one so that the spray nozzles 17 and 17a in the upper one will point downwardly while the spray nozzles in the lower one will point upwardly. In mechanical dishwashers it may be advisable to supply pairs of these spray manifolds at different points along the line of travel of the dishes.

In certain instances it is advisable to position the upper manifold A to one side of the lower manifold and then to tilt the manifolds slightly so that the streams of water issuing from the nozzles 17 and 17a will be inclined slightly from the vertical. We have shown such an arrangement in FIGURE 6. The water stand pipe 22 is inclined from the vertical so that the upper manifold will not be positioned directly above the lower manifold. The angular positions of the two manifolds may be adjusted and the adaptors J, not shown in FIGURE 6, can be swung and then held in place by the bolts 27 so that the brackets K will retain the manifolds in the positions into which they have been swung.

FIGURE 3 shows the dishwasher B with the upper edge of the tank front Wall 19a positioned to permit the lower and upper manifolds to be freed from their manifold end caps L, when the hood is raised and then freed from their manifold adaptors J, after which they can be removed from the dishwasher for inspection or cleaning. The two spray manifolds A may be readily reattached to their manifold adaptors J and manifold end caps L for supporting them in operative position. No tools are needed to do this.

We claim:

1. The combination with a water outlet:

(a) an adaptor having a central cylindrical portion rotatably received in and communicating with said water outlet;

(b) said adaptor having stop fingers and said cylindrical portion being rotatable in said water outlet for swinging said stop fingers into the desired angular positions;

(c) a water spray manifold having a central water passage open at both ends with one end being rotatably received in the cylindrical portion of said adaptor;

(d) said manifold having laterally extending branches communicating with said central water passage and having spray nozzles;

(e) said stop fingers contacting with certain of said branches for holding said manifold in the position into which it has been swung; and

(f) means for supporting and closing the other end of said central water passage and for supporting the manifold.

2. The combination as set forth in claim 1: and in which (a) said means includes a swingable threaded supporting rod that can be swung into a position so its axis will be in alignment with the axis of said central water passage; and

(b) an end cap for said manifold having a threaded bore for receiving the threaded portion and having a circular flanger for receiving said other end of said central water passage for closing this end and for'supporting the manifold.

3. The combination with a supporting water outlet in a dishwasher:

(a) an adaptor having a hollow portion rotatably received in and communicating with said water outlet,

said adaptor being rotatable into a desired angular position; (b) a water spray manifold having a water passage open at both ends with one end being supported by and communicating with the hollow portion in said :adaptor;

(c) removable closure and supporting means for the other end of said water passage for closing this end of the passage and for supporting said manifold at the same end; and

(d) means carried by said adaptor and engaging with said manifold for holding said manifold in a desired angular position into which said adaptor has been rotated.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3: and in which (a) said removable closure and supporting means includes a swingable supporting rod having a portion that can be swung into a position so its axis will be in alignment with the axis of said water passage; and

(b) an end cap movable along said rod portion for closing the other end of said water passage and for supporting this portion of said manifold.

5. In a dishwasher having a dishwashing compartment with a water outlet opening therein;

(a) a water spray manifold positionable in said compartment, said manifold having a central passageway open at each end; one of the ends of the central passageway of said manifold being removably connected to said water outlet opening;

(b) a closure member mounted in said compartment, said closure member being removably connected to the other end of said central passageway of said manifold for closing same;

(c) said water outlet opening and said closure member constituting supports for said manifold within said compartment.

6. The combination as set forth in claim 5 wherein said manifold may be rotatably adjusted upon said water outlet opening and closure member to angularly position said manifold within said compartment and means in said compartment for holding said manifold in its angularly adjusted position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,598,634 9/1926 Wolf 239-450 2,040,947 5/1936 Majonnier 239-548 2,598,961 6/1952 Andrus 239450 3,101,729 8/1963 Goldman 134145 3,207,167 9/1965 Edstrorn 134-200 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 572,623 10/1945 Great Britain.

ROBERT L. BLEUTGE, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 134'200; 239556 

5. IN A DISHWASHER HAVING A DISWASHING COMPARTMENT WITH A WATER OUTLET OPENING THEREIN; (A) A WATER SPRAY MANIFOLD POSITIONABLE IN SAID COMPARTMENT, SAID MANIFOLD HAVING A CENTRAL PASSAGEWAY OPEN AT EACH END; ONE OF THE ENDS OF THE CENTRAL PASSAGEWAY OF SAID MANIFOLD BENG REMOVABLY CONNECTED TO SAID WATER OUTLET OPENING; (B) A CLOSURE MEMBER MOUNTED IN SAID COMPARTMENT, SAID CLOSURE MEMBER BEING REMOVABLY CONNECTED TO THE OTHER END OF SAID CENTRAL PASSAGEWAY OF SAID MANIFOLD FOR CLOSING SAME; 